Our grooming training courses

The courses at Four Paws Groom School are designed to suit everybody. You can learn how to groom your own dog or cat in one day or complete a 30 day Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming Qualification. We cater for novices wanting some confidence to those seeking a career at the highest standard in a lucrative industry. We also provide skill refreshers to experienced groomers keen to continue in their professional development.

Unlike many centres we can tailor make our courses to suit your needs and accreditation through Open College Network West Midlands is optional on most courses. Although the core syllabus is our starting point, you can tell us what you need and we will ensure you cover it!

• Pet trims? Not a problem!• Show standard? Not a problem!• Extra practice on a particular breed? Not a problem!

At Four Paws we work with you to get the most out of your learning and help you to be the best that you can be.

This one day course has been specifically created for those wanting to groom their own dog at home. You can bring your dog to us for the day and learn how to create one specific style you like and gain the skills you need to work on your own dogs coat type. This will save you a lifetime of cost taking your dog to the groomers and give you fond bonding time with your favourite pooch.

£235 (inclusive of VAT) per person

This one day course has been specifically created for those wanting to groom their own cat at home. You can bring your cat to us for the day and learn how to create one specific style you like and gain the skills you need to work on your own cats coat type. Why go to the groomers if your cat is happier at home? We have found owners enjoy this course as it gives lovely bonding time with their favourite feline and will save ongoing grooming costs throughout your cats lifetime. However, if your cat loves a professional groom we can give you the skills to ensure they stay in tiptop condition between appointments.

£235 (inclusive of VAT) per person

Our Canine First Aid Course is perfect for owners and professionals alike who want to be prepared should a pet need emergency treatment. Our course covers the most commonly faced canine needs such as how to treat injury, allergic reactions, stings, poisoning, choking, seizures, CPR, hypothermia and much more.

A combination of theory and practical exercises (with some of our brilliant demo dogs), we aim to prepare you with the knowledge required should you ever be faced with an emergency situation.

Our course is accredited through the Open College Network West Midlands and each student will receive a recognised certificate for their learning.

You will learn skills that can save lives. Need I say more? Call us or visit our Facebook page to find out our next course dates.

£120 (inclusive of VAT) per person - including light refreshments

Our Dog Walking, Pet Sitting and Canine First Aid Course is perfect for professionals who want to show their customers they have the knowledge and ability to care for their pets and be prepared should a pet need emergency treatment.

The course includes:

- Understand roles and responsibilities of Professional Dog Walker & Pet Sitters- Understand roles, responsibilities and how to deal with problems/emergencies relating to the clients property- Understand problems, injuries ad emergencies sustained by dog walker and dog whilst walking- Understand current legislation, codes of practice and where to seek assistance- Risk assessments and safety for people and animals- Understand different types of breeds, health checking a dog and assessing behaviours- Best practices and business operation- Canine First Aid (how to treat injury, allergic reactions, stings, poisoning, choking, seizures, CPR, hypothermia and much more

A combination of theory and practical exercises (with some of our brilliant demo dogs), we aim to prepare you with the knowledge required should you ever be faced within your business and in an emergency situation.

Our course is accredited through the Open College Network West Midlands and each student will receive a recognised certificate for their learning.

Call us or visit our Facebook page to find out our next course dates.

£390 (inclusive of VAT) per person - including light refreshments / lunch is NOT provided

This handstripping course is great for anyone looking to gain additional experience or prove their skills in handstripping.

The course will take you through the theory of wire coated handstripping. From the basics of coat growth, all the way to the technique itself. We will discuss factors that effect handstripping grooms, carding, rolling, equipment and after stripping care. During the day you will have hands experience and practice on one of our wire coated doggie models.

If you would like to receive a formal certificate accredited at Level 3 from a National Awarding Organisation the additional cost of £35 can be added to the course price.

£235 (inclusive of VAT) per person

This course is the first step in learning all about dog grooming and trying your hand at some of the less complex styles. It is perfect for students who have little knowledge of dogs but who are interested in a career in dog grooming. It is also an ideal course for dog owners who wish to learn how to correctly groom a specific breed in a variety of styles. The course will include tools of the trade, basic handling, bathing, nail trimming, clippering and scissoring techniques. On completion of this course you will know whether you wish to pursue a career in dog grooming or if your new skills are just for your dogs to enjoy. If you wish to continue with your studies and undertake any of our higher level courses, the Introductory course cost and time will be deducted from your next training course.

£990 (inclusive of VAT) per person

This course is a leap up from the introduction course offering further practical and hands on skill practice. Packed into 10 days you will touch on every aspect of dog grooming and is the perfect course length to fit around your current employment or lifestyle. In this course you will gain knowledge of the most popular dog breeds seen in a grooming salon. This course is an ideal start for students who want to become self-employed as a dog groomer or those who wish to gain immediate employment in a grooming salon. This course level will appeal to potential employers in any job application and enable you to display an array of skills. This course may also appeal to students who have experience in grooming but wish to re-fresh their skills on suitable dog models in a grooming salon environment.

The course will include tools of the trade,animal welfare legislation, handling, bathing, nail trimming, clippering and scissoring techniques, ear plucking, breed specific styling, health and safety in the salon, choosing the right products for the dog and distinguishing between different coat types to ensure the correct grooming methods are used.

On successful completion of the course you will receive a Four Paws Foundation Course Certificate in dog grooming with an individual written reference from your course tutor detailing your skill level in each component of the course.

If you wish to continue with your studies and undertake the Intermediate or the Advanced Course, this course cost and time will be deducted from your next training course. In addition to this all Four Paws students who have completed the 10 days of study or above will receive a 20% discount off our Canine First Aid Course.

£1890 (inclusive of VAT) per person

The Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming qualification is top of the class at Four Paws Groom School. The qualification is commonly known as OCN Level 3 Diploma.

Four Paws Groom School is proud to have developed this qualification in conjunction with Open College Network West Midlands and it is exclusively available to Four Paws until January 2019, after which time other training centres in the UK will be able to offer our course.

Over the period of 31 days (26 days in the school and 5 days home study), you will groom a minimum of 10 different breeds in a minimum of 15 different styles. We believe this qualification course gives our students a solid foundation on which to continue developing their skills and career. Unlike other qualifications of the same stature, there are no pre-requisites to starting the course, meaning you can join at level 3 without having completed a lower level course first.

As with all of our courses at Four Paws Groom School you will be trained in practical skills such as bathing, scissoring, clippering, nail trimming and ear plucking.

Units included within this qualification are:

- Assess, Plan and Record Dog Grooming Work- Canine First Aid- Carry Out Styling and Finishing of a Dog- Health Checking a Dog by a Dog Groomer- Promote and Maintain the Health and Well-Being of Animals- Welcome, Receive and Care for Customers

The qualification will demonstrate to an employer or the general public that you have the necessary technical skills and knowledge to successfully groom a variety of dogs. This is a formal, regulated, nationally recognised qualification that will remain relevant throughout your career. As such, completion of this qualification entitles you to join The Groomers Spotlight and proudly demonstrate your achievement. More details are available at www.thegroomersspotlight.com

It has been designed specifically for those looking to become professional dog groomers or those who already groom dogs (as a hobby or career) but do not currently hold a nationally recognised qualification. For experienced groomers, we can offer a fast-track plan to gaining the qualification by skill demonstration.

Please contact Four Paws Groom School for further details

£3900 (inclusive of VAT) per person - 31 days

The price includes a basic scissor pack and 12 months free member to the British Isles Grooming Association

At Four Paws, we know many experienced groomers would like to be able to say they are also qualified and have had their skill validated. However, exams can be daunting and the cost can escalate if you need practice to prepare for them. That is why we have made our qualification assessed through coursework and means you can complete a portfolio at your own pace, in your own time whilst ensuring you have the skills needed to achieve your goal.

We pride ourselves on providing a great opportunity for experienced groomers to achieve level 3 qualification status without the need for first completing a level 2 qualification. This route is also ideal for students who hold the City and Guilds Intro Certificate but who have not yet reached the City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma. Both diplomas are the same value on the national framework but simply awarded by different awarding organisations.

There are two fast track options:

Option 1) Complete the qualification at your premises with your own dogs£1,250 (inclusive of VAT) per registration

Option 2) Complete the qualification at Four Paws Groom School with our dog models£1,850 (inclusive of VAT) per registration

The prices above include all the elements needed to complete the course with no hidden extras. We have assessors who are able to travel throughout the UK and Europe which opens the doors for all groomers to become qualified, raising standards within the industry.

Successful completion of this qualification entitles you to join The Groomers Spotlight and proudly demonstrate your achievement. More details are available at www.thegroomersspotlight.com

As from the 1st October, changes to the Animal Activity Licensing Regulations from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs necessitate that all staff working for Dog Kennels, Dog Day Care or Day Boarding must have a minimum of an Ofqual regulated Level 2 qualification in a relevant subject. To meet the higher standard, a member of staff would have a relevant Ofqual Level 3 qualification. The Level 3 Certificate in Canine Studies meet these exact requirements if you own your own canine business.

In addition, the Canine Studies programme is aimed at both dog owners who want to understand more about their own dogs, and those wishing to gain employment within the canine industry or progress on to further studies.

The Canine Distance Learning modules are accredited through Open College Network at Level 3 (A level standard) and are delivered by an online e-portfolio by iPET Network to enable you to study from home at your own pace and around other commitments.

To complete the full Level 3 Certificate in Canine Studies you must complete 4 modules or you can just complete the individual modules. There are 7 modules in total including Canine Care and Welfare, Canine Nutrition, Canine Behaviour and Communication, Canine Anatomy and Physiology and Setting up a Small Canine Business.

The total cost for the complete qualification (four modules) is £999 but each module is £200 (including registration), and there are no pre-requisites for any of the modules. However, choose modules that are relevant to your own business or your own personal interests.

You can enrol at any time and there are no time restrictions for completion – however as a guide, each module should normally take 4-6 weeks.

Once you have enrolled, you will gain access to our online learning environment, and support will be available from your tutor (via email or phone).

£999 (inclusive of VAT)

Our dog grooming tuition days are perfect for experienced groomers who want to gain further knowledge of a particular breed or style that they would like to prefect.

We have an extensive database of model dogs who are perfect to hone your skills on such as Poodles, Schnauzers, West Highland Terriers, Bedlington Terriers, Fox Terriers and Airedale Terriers and many more. These tutiton days allow for styling focus and advanced grooming techniques.

£235 (inclusive of VAT) per person

Our salon experience days are perfect for students who want to gain vital work experience in a fully operational grooming salon. These days can really help build your confidence and enable you to further practice your learnt skills following the qualification course in the school. You will spend the day working alongside an experienced stylist who can show you varying methods and techniques to suit the dogs through the door that day.

£100 (inclusive of VAT) per person

Testimonials

To all at Four Paws, Thank you for making me feel like one of the pack!

Thank you all for such an enjoyable experience. I loved every minute of it. Your professionalism, teaching, patience, extra time and effort, well over and above the call of duty and I really do appreciate every single second of it. Thanks guys, I loved it!

Thank you to all of you for making my time at Four Paws so fantastic, I have loved every day. I’ll miss you all and I’ll miss all of the dogs too. Lots of love

Thank you for making me feel very welcome and part of the team, such fond memories at Four Paws and I would love to keep in touch to let you know how my dog grooming business is going. So excited and can’t wait to venture out on my own.

Thank you for all the support, I have loved every minute of it. It has been a brilliant experience and hopefully life changing! I hope I do you proud and not fall into the ‘poor groomers’ category but expect a phone call from time to time for advice!

Thank you very much for all your help on this course, I have really enjoyed coming here and will miss you all! I feel much more confident as a groomer and I will never forget my time here. Thank you for your advice and getting me on Facebook! Love